Child sexual abuse

Things you need to know

Contents
Introduction ........................................................................4
What is child sexual abuse? ..............................................5
Myths and facts about child sexual abuse...........................7
Incidence and impact of child sexual abuse .....................10
Normal sexual development and how to identify
a problem .........................................................................13
Indicators of child sexual abuse .......................................16
Responding to suspicion or disclosure of child
sexual abuse.....................................................................18
Speaking out about child sexual abuse ............................21
Reporting child sexual abuse............................................26
The reporting process.......................................................28
Confidential reporting........................................................30
If you make a report and believe no action has
been taken .......................................................................31
Information for employees of organisations
related to children or child care.........................................31
Making a report to Child Safety Services or the
Queensland Police Service .............................................36
Contact numbers .............................................................37

Introduction
Harm caused by child sexual abuse can impact on a childs physical, psychological
and emotional wellbeing. All adults have a responsibility to protect children from
harm. This booklet will assist you in making informed decisions to help ensure
children under the age of 18 years are safe and protected from harm.
The booklet provides information about child sexual abuse and its impact on a childs
life. It also provides advice on what to do if a child tells you they have been abused or
if you suspect that a child has been sexually abused.
This information is relevant for all adults who have contact with children.
Organisations providing programs or activities for children can use the information in
this booklet to better inform policies and procedures for handling suspicions or
disclosures of child sexual abuse.

What is child sexual abuse?

Child sexual abuse occurs when an adult, stronger child or adolescent uses his or
her power or authority to involve a child in sexual activity. Sexual abuse can be
physical, verbal
or emotional and can include:

kissing or holding a child in a sexual manner

exposing a sexual body part to a child

having sexual relations with a child

talking in a sexually explicit way that is not age or developmentally

appropriate

making obscene phone calls or remarks to a child

sending obscene mobile text messages or emails

to a child

fondling a child in a sexual manner

persistently intruding on a childs privacy

penetrating the childs vagina or anus by either the penis, finger or any
other object

oral sex

rape

incest

showing pornographic films, magazines or photographs to a child

having a child pose or perform in a sexual manner

forcing a child to watch a sexual act

child prostitution.

Secrecy, misuse of power and the distortion of adult-child relationships are key
factors in the sexual abuse of children. Other factors may be a consideration when
the person responsible for the abuse is an adolescent, another child
or a female.

Grooming behaviour of sex offenders?

Grooming refers to the process by which sex offenders groom people in the
community, such as parents, carers, teachers and children to engage, establish trust
and gain access to a child. Sex offenders spend considerable time targeting, enticing
and trapping a child for sexual purposes. Grooming involves the offender integrating
themselves into places where they have access to children and then grooming the
adults to create opportunities for the offender to abuse their victims. Some examples
of grooming behaviour can include a person:

regularly offering to babysit a child for free or take a child on overnight

outings alone

actively excluding a child from other adults or children

insisting on physical affection such as kissing, hugging, wrestling or

tickling even when the child clearly does not want it

being overly interested in the sexual development of a child

insisting on time alone with the child with no interruption

enjoying taking lots of pictures of children

sharing alcohol or drugs with younger children or adolescents

exposing their genitals to a child.

Myths and facts about child sexual abuse

Very often when a child is sexually abused, the people affected by the abuse are
offered advice and information by concerned friends, family members and
professionals. It is not unusual for the child and others affected to become confused
about what to believe and what not to believe.
The following table lists some of the more common myths (things that are not true),
and facts (things that are true) about child sexual abuse.
Myth

Fact

Children make up
stories or lie
about sexual
abuse.

While children do make up stories, they

seldom lie about sexual abuse. Children
who have not been abused do not
usually have explicit knowledge of
intimate sexual behaviour. Research

indicates that most reports of child

sexual abuse are true.
Abuse is most
often committed
by strangers.

Most abuse is committed by someone

the victim knows and trusts.

Offenders look
sleazy, cruel or
unusual.

Offenders come from all walks of life and

are ordinary people. It is because they
are ordinary people that it is easy for
them to offend undetected. They can be
family members, family friends,
babysitters, coaches, teachers, visitors
or neighbours.
The community can protect children from
sexual abuse by being observant of the
way they are treated by others, rather
than by concentrating on whether an
individual looks like a sex offender.

Acts like fondling,

french kissing or
touching are not
really sexually
abusive, and do
not really harm
the child.

Any form of direct or indirect sexual

contact with a child by an adult, an older
child or a sibling who is mature is
abusive. Every individual has a unique
reaction to sexual abuse regardless of
the type, extent or duration of the abuse.

If a male child or
young man has
an erection, or if a
female child or
young woman
does not
complain or
display any signs
of distress during
the sexual abuse,
then what is
occurring is not
abuse.

Physical reactions to sexual stimulation

indicate only that ones biological body
functions are healthy. Under no
circumstances should these physical
reactions be taken to mean that the child
is enjoying the abuse.

All sexually
abused children

Many children who have experienced

sexual abuse will heal and go on to lead

Sexual assault is a criminal offence

regardless of whether or not some of the
acts make the child feel good physically.
A child does not have the emotional
tools to understand what is happening.

are scarred or
damaged forever.

normal lives like everyone else. In most

cases, sexual abuse leaves no visible
physical marks on a person, and no one
will know that abuse has occurred
unless they are told.

Children who
have been
sexually abused
by a member of
the same sex (or
opposite sex)
grow up to be
homosexual.

The sex of the person who commits the

abuse does not determine the victims
sexual orientation.

Children are
sexually abused
because their
parents or carers
neglect to care for
them, or
supervise them
properly.

Offenders use a range of tactics to gain

access to their victims. The offender
alone is responsible for their actions.
Many offenders are experts in
manipulating
both the victim and the people who
care for them.
It is important that members of the
community behave in ways that reduce
the likelihood that children will be
exposed to sexual abuse either by a
family member or another person.

Children are
sexually abused
because their
mothers are not
sexually available
to their husbands
or partners.

Offenders may have normal sex lives

with their partners and still abuse a child.

An offender may
be so drunk or
high that they
cannot be
considered
responsible for
what they did.

With or without alcohol or drugs, the

offender is responsible for their actions
and may need specialised treatment for
their offending behaviour and for the
alcohol or drug abuse.

A child who is
sexually abused
will grow up to
sexually abuse
children.

Many children who are sexually abused

do not become child sexual abusers
when they grow up.

Incidence and impact of child sexual abuse

Incidence

The exact figures for child sexual abuse are unknown.

Research shows that between one and five girls are sexually abused. For
boys, the range is between one and 101.

Sexual abuse experienced by children is under-reported and therefore it is

likely that rates may be higher. Fear of being labelled homosexual is a
common barrier for boys in disclosing if they have been abused by a
male.

In 90 per cent of child sexual abuse cases the child knows the offender2.

Children with a disability are four times more likely to be sexually abused
than children without a disability3.

One in five children aged 10 to 17 years will receive

a sexual invitation from a stranger over the internet4.

Perpetrators

Perpetrators can be male or female, an adult or a child over the age of 10

years. They come from all walks of life.

Sexually abusive behaviours displayed by children over the age of 10

years may be considered a criminal offence, depending on the
circumstances.

Some very young children, who are themselves victims of sexual abuse,
can act out sexually with their siblings and friends.

Dunne, M., Purdie, D., Cook, M., Boyle, F. & Najman, J. (2003). Is child sexual abuse declining? Evidence
from a population-based survey of men and women in Australia. Child Abuse and Neglect, 27, 141-152.

2
3

Trewin, D. (2005) Personal Safety Survey (Catalogue No. 4906.0). Canberra: Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Charlton, M., Kliethermes, M., Tallant, M., Taverne, A. & Tishelman, A. (2004). Facts n Traumatic Stress and
children with developmental disabilities. Los Angeles: National Centre for Child Traumatic Stress.

Finkelhor, D., Mitchell, K. & Wolak, J. (2001). Highlights of the Youth Internet Survey. OJJDP Fact Sheet.
(online). Available at: http://www.unh.edu/ccrc/Youth_Internet_info_page.html

Between 2000 and 2006, the Egret Team (Crime and Misconduct
Commission, Anti-paedophile Unit, Queensland) arrested 103 people on
1328 charges related to child sexual abuse5.

Impact of abuse
No two children react to abuse in the same manner. Sexually abused children exhibit
more distress than non-abused children, yet no one sign is common to all.
Some children show no observable negative effects of child sexual abuse while
others show a wide range of signs. A childs support network and bonds with those
who believe and protect them will help them cope.
The impact of sexual abuse on children varies:

Some children show no signs of distress immediately after sexual abuse,

yet may present signs of distress a year, or many years, later.

Some children display behaviour problems and have difficulties with

emotional stress, new anxiety, low self-esteem, appropriate boundaries or
personal space and use of sexual language, yet they may respond to
professional counselling with family support.

Some children display signs of serious distress such as depression, high

levels of anxiety, repeat sexualised behaviour, self-loathing,
aggressiveness and confused thoughts.

Some children who have been sexually abused show one or more signs
similar to post-traumatic stress disorder. These include isolated
flashbacks, bed-wetting, sudden changes in wanting to sleep with parents
or being afraid of the dark.

Although children who have been sexually abused show a wide variety of
symptoms or difficulties, the two most consistent are post-traumatic stress
disorder and sexualised behaviour.

The impact on a victim may be influenced by events other than the abuse, such as
factors existing in the childs life before the abuse. This may include the overall
development of the child at the time of abuse and the level of support received by the
child after the child sexual abuse is disclosed or discovered.
The impact may also be influenced by factors after the abuse such as lowered risk of
harm and increased protective situations. These factors may also influence a childs
decision to retract their allegations.
Long-term impact of child sexual abuse
Child sexual abuse can impact on the childs ability to feel safe, develop trust, and
have positive intimate relationships in adult life.

5
Crime and Misconduct Commission, Queensland, Press Release 04.09.2006

Research links child sexual abuse with psychological problems such as depression,
anxiety, post-traumatic stress and poor self-esteem.
Child sexual abuse can impact on the childs social and personal relationships and
may increase a sense of hopelessness, or helplessness to make positive changes in
their world, as well as an inability to relate well to others.

Normal sexual development and how to identify a problem

Ages 05

Children at this age have intense curiosity about almost everything,

including their bodies, and are often happier with no clothes on.

Sexual self-stimulation or masturbation normally begins during infancy

and continues throughout development as both a self-soothing and
exciting behaviour.

In addition to their own bodies, children of this age group are also curious
about others bodies. Their curiosity may lead them to try to look at or
touch others genitalia. This is exploratory looking and touching, typically
accompanied by giggling and amusement rather than behaviour of a
coercive nature.

When clear limits are set, pre-schoolers take re-direction easily.

Ages 610

School-age children continue to explore their own bodies.

Children begin to seek information about sex and look for books and
diagrams that explain their own organs and functions.

Curiosity about sexuality takes the form of playing games such as, Ill
show you mine if you show me yours.

Some boys of this age compare penis size.

Children become interested in sex words and dirty jokes.

Limited interest in the opposite sex may be evident.

Interest in the childs own and other bodies continues, particularly if

changes in their bodies begin to occur.

Feelings of needing privacy emerge.

Ages 1112 (pre-adolescence)

Masturbation continues during pre-adolescence.

Pre-adolescents are focused on establishing relationships with peers.

Some engage in sexual activity with peers, including kissing and fondling.

Pre-adolescents may imitate sexual behaviours they have seen or heard

about.

While most of these experiences are with the opposite sex, preadolescents may engage in sexual activities with their own gender. Such
sexual activity with the same gender does not necessarily indicate
homosexuality.

How can I tell when a sexual behaviour is a problem?

You will need to assess whether:

the type of sexual activity is normally expected for the childs age and
level of development

the children involved have relatively equal power

force or intimidation is used

the behaviour is kept secret

the behaviour appears compulsive or the child is obsessed with it

the childs behaviour can be redirected quickly to another activity.

Teaching children about sexual safety

Just as adults teach children about water safety, fire safety or car safety, is important
to teach children about sexual safety.
It is important to show children that you are aware of sexual safety by discussing with
them ways to respect their bodies and reject sexual put downs or jokes.
Set clear behavioural limits in relation to sexual safety, such as we dont touch other
peoples private parts. Implement these rules along with other general house rules.
Talk with children about respectful words for the private parts of their body. Although
children are able to learn concepts about safety, adults should not rely on a childs
knowledge of these concepts as a measure of their ability to protect themselves.

Indicators of child sexual abuse

There are some behavioural and physical indicators that a child is being, or has been
sexually abused, even if the child does not disclose the fact.
A childs age and level of maturity and development must be considered when
interpreting possible behavioural indicators of sexual abuse.
Behavioural indicators can include:

displaying greater sexual knowledge or language that normally expected

for the childs age or developmental level

hints about sexual activity through actions or

comments that are inappropriate to the childs age
or developmental level

inappropriate sexual play and behaviour with themselves, other children

or dolls and toys

excessive masturbation or masturbation in public

after kindergarten age

an unusual interest in or pre-occupation with sexual matters

persistent bedwetting, urinating or soiling in clothes

regressive behaviour such as baby talk and

thumb-sucking

fear or avoidance of any aspect of sexuality

sexually suggestive behaviour with adults or older children

persistent psychosomatic complaints or frequent depression

poor social boundaries

starting fires or a fascination with fire

running away

destroying property

hurting or mutilating animals

promiscuity or prostitution

refusing to undress for activities or often wearing layers of clothing

creating stories, poems or artwork about abuse

suicidal feelings or attempts at suicide

difficulty concentrating and being withdrawn or overly obedient

being seemingly accident-prone.

Please note that some of the indicators listed above may be signs that a child is at
risk of harm, but not necessarily because of sexual abuse.
Physical indicators can include:

bruising, bleeding, swelling, tears or cuts on genitals

or anus

an unusual vaginal odour or discharge

torn, stained or bloody clothing, especially underwear

pain or itching in the genital area, difficulty going to the toilet, walking or
sitting

a sexually transmitted disease, especially in a

pre-adolescent child

pregnancy.

Responding to a suspicion or disclosure of child sexual

abuse
Sexual abuse of children in any form, by anyone, is unacceptable. It is not unusual
for a child to deny that anything is wrong as this is a natural way of coping when
something may be overwhelming. Disclosure is a process which can include the child

saying she or he was sexually abused and then withdrawing the statement by saying
it didnt happen. This can happen particularly if there is a negative consequence or
response to the child or family, for example, punishment of the child or family
separation.
If you have suspicions that a child has been sexually abused:

be alert to any warning signs that may indicate a child is experiencing or

is at risk of abuse

observe the child and make written notes as soon as you begin to have
concerns pay attention to body cues such as changes in their
behaviour, ideas, feelings and the words they use

have a gentle, non-judgemental discussion with the child expressing

your concern that a child looks sad or unwell can result in disclosures

do not pressure a child to respond and do not ask questions that put
words into a childs mouth

assure the child that he or she can come and talk

to you when they need to, and listen to them when
they do

remember that child abuse does not go away and usually becomes more
serious over time

seek expert advice by calling Child Safety Services or the Queensland

Police Service to talk about your concerns

remember that not acting on a childs disclosures or your suspicions may

result in a child being further abused.

If a child tells you they are being abused:

remain calm

do not express shock, panic or disbelief the child is counting on you to

provide calm reassurance that they are being listened to and heard

find a private place to talk

thank the child for coming to talk to you about it and recognise their
bravery for talking about something that may be very difficult for them

be supportive, tell them that you believe what they are saying and thank
them for helping you to understand

be a listener not an investigator encourage the child to talk in their

language and ask just enough questions to act protectively, for example,
can you tell me more about that?

do not conduct any form of interview with the child

stress that what has happened is not their fault, for example, you are not
in trouble and, if I look and sound upset it is because I want you to feel
safe

be aware of your tone of voice and help the child make sense of what you
are feeling, for example, I am feeling concerned for you, or, what we
can do right now is talk about ways to help you feel safe

act proactively, for example, I know some people do wrong things and it
is up to grown-ups to protect children or, every child has a right to be
safe, there are laws to help protect children

reassure the child that they have done the right thing by telling you, and
that they are not in trouble

do not make promises you cannot keep, such as promising you will not
tell anyone you need to tell someone in order to get help for the child

as a concerned community member you can contact Child Safety

Services or the Queensland Police Service and ask how best to respond
to the situation

do not contact the person responsible for the abuse, regardless of who that
person is leave this to the police

keep information confidential only those who absolutely need to know

should be told at this point.

If a parent tells you that a child has been abused but the person responsible no
longer has contact with the child, you should still contact Child Safety Services or the
Queensland Police Service to help protect other children. You could also provide
information to the parent about where they can get help and advice.

Speaking out about child sexual abuse

Acknowledging child sexual abuse can be very difficult. Often people find it easier to
down play their concerns or avoid thinking about the possibility that a child may have
been abused. This can leave a child unprotected and allow the abuse to continue.
Why you should break the silence about child sexual abuse
Every child has the right to be protected by caring adults.
Sexual abuse can affect a child for the rest of their life.
Think about how you may feel if you do not act to protect a child.
A child is never to blame for sexual abuse.
If you suspect that a child has been sexually abused it is better to report it, even if
you are not sure, rather than do nothing.
Trust your gut feeling, rely on intuition and speak out if you think someone is
sexually abusing a child.
If the person responsible is a child or adolescent, speaking up may enable them
to get help to address their sexual behaviour.
If you do report sexual abuse, the child will always remember that someone had
the courage to speak out and do something to protect them.
If a child has been sexually abused, it is important for the family to reach out for
help and not to isolate itself.

If you do not take action when you suspect a child is being sexually abused, you may
place the child at serious risk of ongoing abuse and prevent the childs family from
receiving the help they need.
There are many organisations in the community that can provide services to help
children and families. Take some time to find out what is available in your community.
Communities need to do something about child sexual abuse. Stand together, be
strong and break the silence. Stop protecting the person responsible and speak out
against child sexual abuse.
Common concerns you may have when deciding whether to speak out about
child abuse:
The person responsible could be a relative or a wellknown person in the
community. If the person is related to you, it may put you in a difficult
position. It is very important that you talk to someone who you can trust or
someone outside of the family. It is also important to access support services
for yourself, to assist you through this difficult situation.
You might not want the person responsible to get into trouble with the law.
The person responsible may have contact with the police. This is not your
fault, as it is a result of their own actions.
You might feel that the problem could best be dealt with inside the family
network or by the community.
Sometimes the communitys response is to move the person responsible
away from where they live. The problem will not go away as they may go to
another community and continue to abuse children. People who sexually
abuse children need to get help so they can stop this behaviour.
The justice system can sometimes take a long time before an outcome is
reached.
Convicting people of crimes against children can sometimes take a long time
and be a stressful process. It is important that you put support networks in
place for yourself and the family, so that you do not feel isolated and alone.
The impact of abuse on a child can also last a long time so it is important that
the child and their family can be supported.
You do not want to make the situation worse for the family.
This is a realistic concern. It may seem that reporting your concerns will make
things worse for the family, organisation, community or the child. However, in
the long run, you could make it a better for a child who may not have anyone
else to protect them, or may be too scared and ashamed to speak out about
the sexual abuse.

The family may not be aware that a child has been sexually abused. Child
Safety Services works with families to support them and help them care for
their children, and in many cases, the child can remain living at home as long
as family members can keep them safe.
You might know the person who is responsible for the abuse and do not want
to make it worse for their family. This places you in a difficult situation. Think
about what is more important - protecting a child or protecting an abuser? The
childs right to be safe is most important.
It may cause a lot of trouble between your family and the family that you
report. It may also cause tension and stress within your own family if
the person responsible is a close family member.
It is sad that reporting child sexual abuse sometimes causes families to fight
and can cause a rift in families that may never be mended. However, there
will also be family members who will admire you for having the courage to
stand up for what you believe in, and for having done something to protect a
child from sexual abuse.
You might be afraid that you could be the victim of verbal or physical abuse
if you tell someone about a child that is being sexually abused.
This is a real concern for people who live in close-knit communities. Section
186 of the Child Protection Act 1999 states that a notifiers name will not be
disclosed by Child Safety Services or the Queensland Police Service, except
in specific circumstances, for example, when ordered to do so by a court or
tribunal. You can also choose to remain anonymous.
In small communities, people can sometimes guess who has spoken to Child
Safety Services. If you are worried about this, find a support network of
strong-minded people in your community whose beliefs are similar to your
own and who agree it is important to protect children. It is very important for
communities to put support mechanisms in place for those people who are
brave enough to report sexual abuse.
You simply may not want to get involved or you may think it is none of your
business.
Protecting children from sexual abuse is everybodys business. Children
cannot protect themselves against predators or paedophiles. It is the
responsibility of government and communities working together to nurture and
protect children.
You might be too ashamed to talk about child sexual abuse.
If you are too ashamed to talk about child sexual abuse, find a friend or
someone who can advocate on your behalf. There are also many agencies
that you can speak to. A full list of agencies is provided at the back of this
booklet.

Find out how Child Safety Services and the Queensland Police Service respond to
reports of sexual abuse. Speak to an officer from Child Safety Services and the
Queensland Police Service about their policies and procedures for responding to
child sexual abuse reports. Ask for the officers name and ask them to send
information about the process to you.

Reporting child sexual abuse

If you have reason to suspect a child is experiencing sexual abuse, there are a
number of agencies that can provide support and advice.
Child Safety Services
In the first instance you should contact the Department of Communities (Child Safety
Services), which is responsible for the administration and implementation of the Child
Protection Act 1999 (the Act).
The purpose of the Act is to provide for the protection of children. This involves
responding to allegations of harm, providing support services to strengthen and
support families to reduce the incidence of harm and providing services to families to
protect their children if harm or risk of harm has been identified.
To contact Child Safety Services, call a regional intake service on 13 QGOV (13 74
68). You can also visit
www.communities.qld.gov.au/childsafety for further information.
Child Safety After-Hours Service Centre
If it is an emergency and you wish to speak to somebody outside of normal working
hours, you can contact Child Safety After-Hours Service Centre. This is a service
provided by Child Safety Services and is available after business hours and on
weekends. Call 3235 9999 or freecall 1800 177 135.

Queensland Police Service

The Queensland Police Service is involved in investigating all reported incidents of
suspected sexual abuse against children, serial sex offences, organised paedophilia,
institutionalised abuse, child exploitation and Internet pornography. Legal
proceedings are initiated against alleged offenders when allegations constitute an
offence under the Criminal Code 1899, the Child Protection Act 1999 or any other
relevant legislation.
The Queensland Police Service has a number of dedicated units across the state to
investigate matters relating to children. If you wish to discuss or report an incident
involving a child, contact your local Child Protection and Investigation Unit. If you do
not have a local unit, contact your local police station.
In an emergency call 000.

Parentline
Parentline is a free, confidential telephone service that provides counselling and
referrals.
Counsellors are available from 8am 10pm, seven days a week. Call 1300 301 300
to speak to a Parentline counsellor.

There is a full list of contact details for organisations that can provide advice and
support concerning child abuse on page
34 of this booklet.

The reporting process

Government agencies that can investigate harm to a child are Child Safety Services
and the Queensland Police Service.
When you contact the regional intake service at Child Safety Services or the
Queensland Police Service about your concerns, the officer taking the call will gather
as much information as possible from you and decide the best way to respond.
Child Safety Services will assess the information given by you and decide whether an
investigation and assessment will occur to determine whether the child has been
harmed or is at risk of harm in the future.
The Queensland Police Service will decide whether a criminal offence has occurred.
Initial information required by Child Safety Services or the Queensland Police Service
includes:

the name, age and address of the child

reasons why you suspect the child may have experienced harm, or is at
risk of experiencing harm

any concerns you may have for the childs immediate safety in their home.

It is vital that you call, even if you do not have all the details. Do not question the
child too much as this may upset them and make it harder for the authorities to
investigate what has really happened.
When you contact Child Safety Services, the information that is gathered will be
recorded on their information system. This system contains records of all reports of
harm received by Child Safety Services. When making a report you may remain
anonymous. However, it is preferable that you provide contact details so that officers
are able to contact you if required.

Even if you think the information you have is trivial, your call may provide a vital piece
of information that enables Child Safety Services or the Queensland Police Service
to act.
If a decision is made that Child Safety Services intervention is not required, a child
safety officer may provide you with information or advice, or refer the family to
another service. All details received from and given to you will be noted, but a child
safety officer may not necessarily contact or visit the family.
If the assessment determines that the child has been harmed or is at risk of
significant harm, a child safety officer will visit the child and their family, and if
necessary, make contact with other parties such as the school, doctor or other
agencies involved with the family. When the concerns relate to sexual abuse, a police
officer will also be involved in the investigation, as a criminal offence may have
occurred.
Following a full assessment of the childs protective needs, a decision will be made
about whether it is possible to address the childs needs by supporting and assisting
the family. In the majority of cases, children are able to remain at home, with support
provided to the family by Child Safety Services and community agencies to ensure
they are safe and their needs are met. Sometimes short-term care for the child is
arranged until their safety needs can be met within the family.
If the childs long-term protective needs cannot be met by their family and they are
unable to live at home safely, maintaining ongoing safe and protective family contact
is supported by the department.

Confidential reporting
When a report is made to Child Safety Services or the Queensland Police Service,
the callers identity and the information provided will be kept confidential. The callers
identity is strictly protected.
There are specific sections within the Child Protection Act 1999 which ensure that
confidentiality is maintained. These are:
Section 22 - Protection from liability for notification of, or information given
about, alleged harm or risk of harm
This section provides protection from any legal liability for persons who report their
concerns about a child to either Child Safety Services or the Queensland Police
Service.
A person making such a report cannot be considered to have breached any code of
professional conduct or ethics. Section 22 also covers situations where information
about a child is provided to Child Safety Services or the Queensland Police Service
in the course of an investigation. Officers may talk to relevant people or agencies
who can provide information, such as a family doctor or school teacher.

Section 186 - Confidentiality of notifiers of harm or risk of harm

A notifier is a person who contacts Child Safety Services or the Queensland Police
Service to report their concerns about a particular child. This section ensures that
confidentiality of notifier information is maintained.
Section 186 prohibits officers from disclosing the notifiers identity except in the
course of performing their duties under the Child Protection Act 1999 or if ordered to
do so by a court or tribunal.
The childs family will not be told who provided information upon which the officers
are acting. Remember:

Queensland law protects the source of the report

the details of your report are kept strictly confidential

only discuss your concerns with those who absolutely need to know.

You can speak with an officer from Child Safety Services if you have any concerns.

If you make a report and believe no action has been taken

If you have concerns about a childs situation after a report has been made:

contact the Child Safety Services regional intake service you had initial
contact with to discuss your concerns further

if you are not satisfied with the outcome of this contact, ask to speak with
the regional intake service team leader

if you are still not satisfied, you can ask to talk to the manager of the
regional intake service, make contact with the regional office or lodge a
formal complaint with Child Safety Services.

Information for employees of organisations related to children

or child care
Many child sex offenders find their victims in the organisation where they work or
volunteer.
Every organisation that cares for children should have a policy on how best to
respond to suspicions or disclosures of child sexual abuse.
The organisations policy should be communicated to staff and volunteers to ensure
they are fully aware of, and understand, how to manage the process of reporting
child sexual abuse. Communicating an organisations commitment to the policy
sends a strong message to everyone involved in the organisation that sexual abuse
will not be tolerated.
If you work in an organisation and a child tells you they are being abused, you should
immediately inform your manager, management committee or the licensee of the
service to develop a plan of action.

If the person responsible for the sexual abuse is a staff member, follow your
organisations policy for this situation for referral to the appropriate authorities.
An action plan should be developed by management.
As a concerned community member you can also notify Child Safety Services or the
Queensland Police Service if you suspect that a child is being sexually abused or
harmed in some way.
As a staff member you do not need to prove that the abuse has actually occurred,
your responsibility is to notify your suspicion and the reasons for it.
You have reasonable grounds to take action if:

a child tells you, for example, that they have experienced, or is

experiencing sexual abuse

someone tells you, for example, a sibling, relative, friend or neighbour that
a child has, or is being sexually abused

a child tells you that they know someone who has been sexually abused

you have suspicions because of the childs physical or behavioural

indicators.

There are some people in Queensland who have a legal obligation to report
suspicions of child abuse to the appropriate authorities.
These include:

medical practitioners and registered nurses under the Health Act 1937

the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian under
the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian Act
2000

Family Court personnel, including court counsellors, mediators, welfare

officers and registrars under the Family Law Act 1975

persons employed in a licensed care service, under the Child Protection

Act 1999

detention centre employees of the Department of Communities under the

Juvenile Justice Act 1992

licensees of child care services under the Child Care Act 2002.

There are many other organisations, both government and non-government, that
have their own procedures that require their employees to report suspicions of child
abuse.
If you work in a child-related organisation, use the following checklist when
responding to reports or suspicions of child sexual abuse.

If you are informed or have suspicions that a child is

being sexually abused, an appropriate response
should include the following:

Have access to a copy of your organisations internal

policy and be knowledgeable about how to respond
appropriately.
Be alert to any warning signs that may indicate the child is
being abused.
Observe the child and make written notes as soon as you
begin to have concerns. Pay attention to body cues such
as changes in the childs behaviour, ideas, feelings and
words they use.
Have gentle, non-judgmental discussions with the child.
Expressing your concern that a child looks sad or unwell
can result in disclosures. Do not pressure the child to
respond and do not ask leading questions that puts words
into a childs mouth. Try to use language that is
appropriate to their age.
Assure the child that they can come and talk to you when
they need to. Be available and listen carefully to a child
when they do.
Promptly advise the person nominated by your
organisation of your concerns.
Seek expert advice, or make a report by contacting Child
Safety Services, or the Queensland Police Service.
If a child tells you they are being sexually abused
you should:
Remain calm. Do not express shock, panic or disbelief.
Be a listener not an investigator. Encourage the child to
talk using their language. Ask just enough questions to be
more proactive, such as, can you tell me more about
that? or just nod and say, yes to acknowledge you are
hearing the child. Do not conduct any form of interview
with the child.
Reassure the child that they have done the right thing by
telling you.
Stress what has happened is not their fault, you are not in

trouble or, if I look or sound upset it is because I want

you to feel safe.
Do not make any promises to the child that you cannot
keep, such as not telling anyone else. Explain that you will
have to speak to other people in order to help.
Make written notes as soon as possible following the
disclosure. Again, record the words that the child used and
the behaviours displayed to indicate their distress.
Promptly advise the person nominated by your
organisation of the disclosure.
Report the matter to either Child Safety Services or the
Queensland Police Service.

Important points to remember:

Keep information confidential. Only those who absolutely need to know

should be told.

Do not notify the individual against whom an allegation or complaint has

been made, regardless of who this person is. Leave this to the police.

Do not contact the parent until a plan of action has been developed with
Child Safety Services or the Queensland Police Service.

Making a report to Child Safety Services or the

Queensland Police Service
If a child tells you that they have been sexually abused, or you believe that a child may be at risk of
sexual abuse, remember:

listen carefully

remain calm

record details

do not blame the child

believe and support the child

thank the child for telling you

do not make promises you cannot keep

only tell those who need to know.

Contact Child Safety Services

Child Safety Services and the Queensland
Police Service gather information including the childs details and their family situation. Child Safety
Services works together with the police during each stage of any investigation.

Child Safety Services assesses the report of harm to a child. The police investigate the report to assess
if a crime has been committed.
If the parent is unwilling or unable to protect the child, the Queensland Police Service contacts Child
Safety Services to conduct a joint investigation.
If the child is an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander child, the local Recognised Entity will be involved to
provide cultural and family advice to Child Safety Services.
If risk of harm has been identified, Child Safety Services will provide an appropriate response, which
may include a referral to a SCAN team.
Child Safety Services will consider a range of appropriate options under the Child Protection Act 1999 to
ensure the childs right to protection is exercised. If a crime has been committed the police may lay
charges.
The Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect (SCAN) team
The purpose of the Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect (SCAN) team system is to enable a coordinated multiagency response to children where Child Safety Services intervention is required to assess and meet their need for
protection.
Each SCAN team includes experienced child protection professionals from:

Child Safety Services

the Queensland Police Service

Queensland Health

the Department of Education and Training

a Recognised Entity, when the discussion is about an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander child.

SCAN teams plan and coordinate actions to assess and respond to the protection needs of children who have been
abused or are at risk of abuse. A SCAN team may recommend that team members or other agencies and services
provide support to a family to help protect a child from sexual abuse.

Department of Communities
(Child Safety Services)
13 QGOV (13 74 68)
www.communities.qld.gov.au/childsafety

Contact numbers
Child Safety Services
If you have a reason to suspect a child in Queensland has been sexually abused, is
being sexually abused, or is at risk of sexual abuse, you need to contact the
Department of Communities (Child Safety Services).
During normal business hours contact a Child Safety Services regional intake service
on 13 QGOV (13 74 68). The regional intake service has professionally trained child
protection staff who are skilled in dealing with information about harm or risk of harm
to children.
After hours and on weekends contact the Child Safety After-Hours Service Centre on
3235 9999 or freecall 1800 177 135.
Queensland Police Service
The Queensland Police Service investigates allegations of harm to children when a
criminal offence has been alleged.
If you believe a child is in immediate danger or in a life-threatening situation, contact
the Queensland Police Service immediately by calling 000.
You can also contact Brisbane Sexual Crimes Investigation, Child Safety and Sexual
Crimes Group on 3364 6430.
The Queensland Police Service has a number of Child Protection and Investigation
Units across Queensland.
To locate the unit nearest to you contact the Police District Communication Centre
(see over).
Police District
Communicati
on Centres
3807 7770
(24 hours)
Beenleigh

Brisbane

3364 6464

Broadbeach
Cairns
Gladstone
Innisfail
Longreach
Mareeba
Maryborough
Redcliffe
Roma

5581 2900
4030 7000
4971 3222
4061 5777
4652 7200
4030 3300
4123 8111
3283 0555
4622 9333

Townsville

4759 9777

Bundaberg
Charleville
Gympie
Ipswich
Mackay
Maroochydore
Mount Isa
Rockhampton
Toowoomba

4153 9111
4654 1200
5482 2111
3817 1585
4968 3444
5475 2444
4744 1111
4932 1500
4631 6333

Other contacts
For additional support, families can contact one of the confidential organisations
below that provide a variety of services, counselling
and referrals.
Crimestoppers
TTY for the speech or hearing
impaired (Police)
TTY for the speech or hearing
impaired (Child Safety Services)
Parentline
Kids Help Line
Community Child Health Service
Community Care Information Service
Womens Infolink
Mens Info Line
Statewide Sexual Assault Service

1800 333 000

3364 4655
3012 8655
1300 301 300 (8am 10pm)
1800 55 1800 (24 hours)
3862 2333 or 1800 177 279
3224 4225 or 1800 637 711
1800 177 577
1800 600 636
1800 010 120